Karla is an interdisciplinary educator whose neurodivergent mind shapes the way she works, helping her see connections, patterns, and possibilities that others might miss. She brings this way of thinking into her work every day, in a way that often feels intuitive and familiar to ADHD and dyslexic learners.

Her own journey with ADHD and dyslexia has deeply informed her understanding of learning. She knows firsthand what it feels like to navigate educational systems that do not always recognize neurodivergent strengths. As a parent of a child with ADHD, she has also learned how to advocate, adapt, and create environments where curiosity and regulation can coexist. These lived experiences ground her work in both empathy and practical insight, allowing her to support students and families in finding strategies that truly work for their brains.

Currently completing Gonzaga’s Doctoral Program in Leadership Studies, Karla is studying how creative and body-based learning experiences help people build confidence, regulate their nervous systems, and make sense of their inner worlds. Her work highlights how artistic and somatic practices can support self understanding, emotional regulation, and expression especially for students who benefit from hands on, movement based, or sensory friendly approaches. This research directly informs her coaching, where she draws on creativity and structure to help students develop realistic strategies for focus, organization, and academic success.

With a background in arts integration, wellness, and body based practices, Karla blends research with lived experience. Her ADHD is not a barrier; it is a source of insight, adaptability, and creative momentum. She uses it to design supportive environments where neurodivergent students can thrive. Through creative, multisensory experiences, and practical tool sets, she helps students reconnect with themselves and discover ways of learning that feel aligned with who they are. She understands the challenges of ADHD and dyslexia, and she also recognizes the brilliance, imagination, and resilience that come with them.

In her spare time, Karla loves snuggling with her two rescue Flemish giant bunnies, Gus and Gary. She soaks up as much sunshine as she can; the desert is her happy place. She enjoys all things health and wellness, especially getting into the yoga studio. Above all, she cherishes time with family and her grand puppy, Moose.